Burglars use deception to steal from W.H. homeowner

A string of December burglaries in Nassau County have targeted elderly men and women, according to County police.

Since Dec. 9, there have been seven reported burglaries or attempts in Wantagh, Massapequa Park, Jericho, West Hempstead and Merrick, which have used a method of deception to gain access to valuables inside homes.

At least one group of criminals have begun using a deception technique, in which they pose as utility or home repair workers in order to distract the unsuspecting resident while the home is burglarized, said Lieutenant Kevin Smith of the Nassau County Police.

One burglar will attempt to lure homeowners away from their open doors, Smith said, while an accomplice will enter the home and search for valuables, often in the form of jewelry or cash.

Once the accomplice has collected the valuables, he will signal his partner, possibly with a walkie-talkie or Nextel phone, to leave the scene.

Nearly all of the targeted residents have been more than 80 years old.

“They engage these people, and they seem like nice people,” Smith said. “They’re anything but. They’re vile and they’re preying on these people.”

Though Smith couldn’t say whether the same group perpetrated each of the burglaries or attempts, he did say that at least four of the complaints spoke of a Hispanic woman who tried to lure the victims outside by saying she was a neighbor who wanted to have work done in the backyard.

According to Smith, the police believe she is working with a Hispanic male partner.
The other three reports described the burglars as two men, either Caucasian or Hispanic.

Smith urged caution on the part of residents, saying that if the situation doesn’t feel right to trust their instincts.

“If you don’t know them, don’t let them in,” Smith said. “People generally don’t go to your front door and ask if they can do work for you.”

Of the seven reported attempts, only three reported a loss of valuables.

On Dec. 29, Nassau County police released a report of a burglary in Bellmore that followed the same pattern as the previous incidents.

The burglary took place on Dec. 26 when the victim, a 91-year-old female, answered her door and spoke with a Hispanic female about yard work. The victim followed the suspect out into the yard for approximately 10 min and when she returned to her house, she discovered that she was missing money, credit cards and jewelry. The police believe the same group committed the burglary.
Nassau County police urge that residents be alert to this deception technique and to dial 911 if they encounter suspicious people or vehicles.